<p>My dad and brother went to West Point, and I didn't even bother applying. And by golly, all the power to me. Stop thinking you have to go to the colleges your parents went to. For goodness sake, you are your own person, and your parents will be proud of wherever you go. There is no glory in keeping the legacy alive.
LEGACIES SUCK, START YOUR OWN. </p>
<p>Peace.</p>
<p>Im glad you are doing what you want to do, but you couldnt have broken the Long Gray Line, as you were never a part of it.</p>
<p>You bring out a good point. No one should go to any school whether it is one of the service academies or civilian universities just because their parents went there. You should rightly go to where you desire based on what you are interested in and based upon your future goals. There are students who attend West Point the first year because their parents pushed them to do so…and needless to say, some don’t make it through plebe year or quickly succumb to the pressures and quit- because they were trying to fulfill their parents’ dream and not theirs. </p>
<p>Two more points…1) if you (and I don’t mean Doctadunk personally…I mean anyone reading this) do have legacy at West Point…it helps you to get in…if you want to go there…2) if an individual goes there because of outside influences like a relative etc and not because of their own desire and then leave----remember you took a slot away from someone else on the alternate appointment list…</p>
<p>So for all who read this- go the the Academy or whatever University because you want to go there …definitely not because your family went there or someone pushed you to go there. Good for you Doctadunk! and good luck with your future endeavors!!!</p>
<p>True he was not part of the Long Gray Line…let’s say he broke his family’s gray line…:)</p>
<p>So to quote our beloved song “The Corps”… </p>
<p>The Corps, The Corps, The Corps</p>
<p>The Corps bareheaded, salute it
With eyes up thanking our God
That we of the corps are treading
Where they of the corps have trod</p>
<p>They are here in ghostly assemblage
The men of the corps long dead
And our hearts are standing attention
While we wait for their passing tread</p>
<p>We sons of today, we salute you
You sons of an earlier day
We follow close order behind you
Where you have pointed the way</p>
<p>The long grey line of us stretches
Through the years of a century told
And the last man feels to his marrow
The grip of your far off hold</p>
<p>Grip hands with us now, though we see not
Grip hands with us strengthen our hearts
As the long line stiffens and straightens
With the thrill that your presence imparts</p>
<p>Grip hands, though it be from the shadows
While we swear as you did of yore
Or living or dying to honor
The Corps, and The Corps, and The Corps</p>
<p>USMA '98…BEAT NAVY!!!</p>
<p>Hey MajSapper, I was wondering… My brother went to West Point, but not a parent. Does that improve my chances?</p>
<p>If your father or brother went there, you would have legacy and it may help, but won’t be the deciding factor. The admissions section would look at your overall candidate application. You must first obtain that nomination from Senator or Congressman and then vie for that appointment from the Academy. Check out this site: [Nominations</a> and Admissions](<a href=“http://www.west-point.org/academy/malo-wa/educators/noms.html]Nominations”>Nominations and Admissions)</p>
<p>Presidential nominations for candidates with active or retired parents, sons/daughters of disabled veterans, sons and daughters of Medal of Honor recipients, Regular Army, Reserves and National Guard
There are also Vice Presidential Noms …similar to congressional nomination process</p>
<p>Thanks for that great link!</p>